Hosting Portuguese giants Benfica was always going to be a tall order for Belenenses on Saturday, but the Primeira Division club's challenge became much more daunting as they kicked off with just nine men on the field.
A spate of coronavirus cases decimated the Belenenses squad in the build-up to the match.
They were severely weakened for Saturday's clash, even picking a reserve goalkeeper to fill in as an outfielder.
The club's woes began in the week, when one of their players who had shown symptoms related to Covid-19 tested positive for the virus.
Further tests threw up a total of 17 cases, 13 among the players and four more in the team's coaching staff.
The game nevertheless went ahead, despite the outrage of several Belenenses players who released a joint statement on social media.
O futebol só tem cor se tiver competição.O futebol só tem cor se tiver verdade desportiva. O futebol só tem cor quando é um exemplo de saúde pública.Hoje, o futebol perdeu a cor. pic.twitter.com/ujjv5H5Ffp— Afonso Sousa (@afonso_sousa10) November 27, 2021
"Football only has heart if it is competitive. Football only has heart if it is really sporting," the message read.
"Football only has heart when it is an example of public health. Today, football lost its heart."
Unsurprisingly, with a two-man advantage and with Under-23 keeper Joao Monteiro playing as an outfielder, Benfica made short work of their rivals.
Eduardo Kau gifted the visitors the lead within the first minute by putting past his own keeper, while Haris Seferovic doubled the advantage 13 minutes in.
By half-time, Benfica had already run up a 7-0 advantage.
Manchester City star Bernardo Silva was watching and, like many other observers, could not believe the game went ahead.
"What is this? Am I the only one who doesn't get why the game wasn't postponed?" the midfielder pondered on Twitter.
O que é isto? Sou o único a não perceber o porquê do jogo não ter sido adiado? 🤦🏻♂️— Bernardo Silva (@BernardoCSilva) November 27, 2021
Before the game, though, Belenenses president Rui Pedro Soares insisted that his team had not requested a suspension and were in a proper condition to play.
"We have 38 players registered and we trust them all," he said. "Therefore the decision is up to health authorities.
"We will wait and we are going to respect their decision."
benyedder11111
0
And they scored all the goals in the first half, making me lose my bet
Deserved.
Cetcikmz
0
But I always say, let’s the people who tested positive for this nonsense covid 19, let’s them play. Covid isn’t that big
NOT THAT BIG? Dude you know if you get this varient DELTA and C-32 You have absolutely no chance to live again.
Fazgang
0
so the game didn't end then?
the game will be cancelled on your ticket slip, it will take hours for them to cancel it. so relax and wait for your money to be updated after they cancelled that particular match.
Alieu_Gaucho
3
Are they not having an academy?... that's sad
Heacdlnot
6
what happens to my bet?
Kojopong11
0
not at all bro, they will minus the match from your bet slip
so the game didn't end then?
Fazgang
0
And they scored all the goals in the first half, making me lose my bet
not at all bro, they will minus the match from your bet slip
Mariosuarez2
1
Those 9 men are the real puppet clowns They would have just walked out of the pitch No reasonable person would question them
Kojopong11
3
And they scored all the goals in the first half, making me lose my bet
Praisey0513
2
Football to many people is just to make money, no more respect for the beauty of the game.
huwbelrty
1
But I always say, let’s the people who tested positive for this nonsense covid 19, let’s them play. Covid isn’t that big
Kojogee
1
But giving them the 3 points is far better than wasting your time playing nine men. Aahh well I don’t know what they trying to prove.
AdisaOlatunde
2
That's rubbish... The match should be suspended
Letciklms
4
i just wanna know if Benfica can play with 9man if this could happen to them